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As the 2024/25 HKT Innovation Champion of the Year, MTR commits to advancing railway operations and ensuring a world-class passenger experience through cutting-edge innovation. Its “Go Smart Go Beyond” campaign, launched in 2021, has been designed to apply the latest technologies for safe, reliable, and comfortable travel for passengers.
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One of MTR’s standout innovations that garnered widespread recognition is the Integrated Speed and Position Supervision System (iSPS). This homegrown and patented technology has enhanced safety and operational efficiency on the Light Rail system, which serves over 500,000 daily commuters in the Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai areas.
Operating in a challenging open system environment, Light Rail requires drivers to navigate complex traffic conditions with heightened vigilance. In response, iSPS integrates GPS, RFID, and trainborne sensors to provide real-time monitoring of train speed and position, ensuring smooth and safe operations.
The upgraded iSPS 2.0 takes safety to the next level by incorporating computer vision to assist train captains to manage external risks in real time. This includes detecting pedestrians on tracks, vehicles violating traffic rules, and obstacles in blind spots. The system also activates safety features such as flashing lights, audio warnings, and automatic public announcements to guide passengers’ behavior at Light Rail Stops.
Additionally, it can trigger reminders for drivers or automatically apply service brakes when necessary. These advancements have reduced safety-related alerts by over 50%, enhanced driver training, and improved overall operational performance.
The “intelligent Safety 2.0 for LR” project earned MTR the HKT Innovation Champion of the Year, the Excellence in Technology Adoption (Large Organizations) and the Technology Adoption and Social Impact Innovation Special Award, highlighting the system’s transformative impact on railway safety and efficiency.
Another key accomplishment is MTR’s development of “Intelligent Construction Analytics for Unparalleled Quality Assurance”, an AI-powered text analytics tool created in collaboration with Optix Solutions. Using machine learning and natural language processing, the system automates approval reviews for construction projects, ensuring higher accuracy and consistency as well as achieve significant time savings.
This tool simulates professional judgments, streamlining quality assurance processes and improving accuracy. The AI system has redefined efficiency in construction industry and earned the Innovative Organization (Large) – Bronze Award, further cementing MTR’s reputation as an innovator in both engineering and technology.
MTR’s commitment to smart mobility was also recognized with its Dynamic Simulation Digital Twin Model, developed through the HKUST - MTR Joint Research Laboratory.
By integrating AI and big data, the model simulates passenger flow across various modes of transport, including MTR lines, buses, trams, and ferries. This allows the operations team to predict travel patterns, manage passenger flow efficiently, and implement proactive crowd control measures.
Whether deploying additional staff or enhancing passenger communication, the model has already delivered tangible improvements in operational planning and earned the Excellence in Process Application (Large Organizations) award.
These awards underscore MTR’s unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability. By embracing smart technologies and fostering collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions, MTR continues to set new benchmarks in modern railway operations. As the corporation looks to the future, it remains focused on delivering world-class service to passengers while driving technological advancements in the transport industry.
